Storms could mean flash flooding to metro-east Friday, snow and ice by the weekend
Metro-east residents should brace themselves for heavy rain toward this weekend.
The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch with a forecast of 2 to 4 inches of widespread heavy rainfall from Friday morning to Saturday morning for the greater St. Louis area, including Clinton, Madison, Monroe, Randolph, St. Clair and Washington counties in Illinois.
Multiple rounds of rain are expected to begin Thursday. The heaviest predicted rainfall will come with a few thunderstorms on Friday afternoon, the National Weather Service in St. Louis said in a Facebook post.
Colder air then is expected to move into the area on Friday night, causing the rain to switch over to a mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain, the agency said. The wintry precipitation should continue into Saturday and the storm will leave the area on Saturday evening.
The NWS said that there is uncertainty surrounding the track of the storm, so exact locations and amounts of snow and ice could change.
Since rain will come just before possible snow, any pre-treatment on roads would wash off, said St. Clair County Engineer Norman Etling. He said his department and the county’s Emergency Management Agency are constantly monitoring the weather and will act as appropriate if snow falls.
Heavy rainfall could result in the flooding of low-lying or poor drainage areas, “and ultimately dangerous flash flooding on smaller creeks and streams,” the weather service warned.
River flooding is likely from late this weekend and into next week. The National Weather Service identified the Meramec, Illinois, Kaskaksia and Cuivre Rivers, as well as the Mississippi River at Chester, as points of potential flooding.
The agency warned the public to avoid any low water crossings over the weekend and not to drive through running water.
People who live in the Flash Flood Watch coverage area, the agency said, should make preparations just in case and keep an eye on the latest weather and river forecasts.
Etling said that the Highway Department has had crews out since 6:30 a.m. on Thursday making sure inlets on the streets were not clogged with leaves or debris. If those can’t drain the precipitation, localized flooding could occur.
“We’re staying proactive,” he said.
This story was originally published January 9, 2020 at 11:20 AM.
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